he sat across the aisle from a gentleman on the bus 

                                                      a gentleman  thats what he deferred to no matter how gentlemanly or ungentlemanly the individual appeared  though since riding regularly seven years ago the state of riders had declined precipitously 

                       if he had his druthers theyre not as appreciated as they once were his too aggressive  in actuality his rarely were   an ugly hungry homeless man who kept a dog hit him up for food   Yare hungry   I am . and if you don’t mind me saying . . it looks you can afford me a ten spot, easy, no sweat.   Aah you are perceptive   I am. he said extending an open palm towards him   Man if yare hungry  eat your dog 

                                                   had he his druthers hed have offered the man across from him a bar of soap he smelled like an illkept gym locker room  after spending years crisscrossing the country playing college ball also sparringturning quick bucks in gyms he knew RIPE when he smelled it

Grumblemumblemumblemumblegrumble  man was looking directly at him

he let the first barrage pass

then the man laughed open mouth missing teethblack teethquite a maw

                                                                                   Grumblemumblegrumble mumblemumbleAHgrumble

  Excuse me yatalkin to me 

                                Ifya are I didnt catch whaya said

Excuse you.

Pardon me

the man glared  I said Excuse you . . don’t interrupt me when I’m talkin to myself.

2231,  ReggaeFriday,  9  9. 22

309preferred,  Twosday,  4  10. 22